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My project RG is finally finished! Pics first, background later. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]
PRESENTING . . . RG520SM (Spalted Maple)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<font color="red">PLAN A: RG Swirl</font>
This project developed a life of its own, as most of my projects do. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I originally wanted a swirl Jem, so I bought a custom, swirl finished Jem-style body, and started looking for an AANJ RG for parts.
I found this RG520QS (Quilted Sapele) on eBay and bought it – and it was good – VERY good. Mahogany body, ultra thin/wide neck, and no damnable middle pickup or pickguard (like my Jem has). In fact, when I got it, I found out that it was so nice, I couldn’t bear to part it out. (Side note: the Ibanez RG520QS is a hugely underrated bargain. Get one.)
<font color="red">PLAN B: RG Quilted Sapele - Natural</font>
Soo, I kept it as is for awhile, but it pissed me off that Ibanez had covered that nice figured top with a stain so dark it made the guitar look like it had a solid finish (as shown in the pic above). So, I tried to strip the finish using chemicals, but it was a very slow and frustrating process, and then the veneer started to lift and break, whereupon I went into a Hulk-like rage and got out the power sander. [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]
<font color="red">PLAN C: RG Solid Mahogany</font>
After all of the weeks of wasted effort with chemicals, sanding was very satisfying, as it actually REMOVED FINISH (imagine that)! It removed the quilted sapele veneer too, and I ended up with a very nice, solid mahogany guitar, which I finished with clear, reassembled and played happily for several months. I thought this was where this project would end. But these projects never really end, do they? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
<font color="red">PLAN D: RG Spalted Maple</font>
After stumbling across a pic of a gorgeous RG with a spalted maple top on JemSite, I contacted its builder, and he graciously agreed to add a spalted maple top to mine. I sent it to him, and he did a fantastic job (IMO). While he was at it, I asked him to exclude the (suck) tone knob (which I filled before sending the guitar). When I got it back, I mounted the pickups directly to the body, leaving out the mounting rings, and I also substituted an Evolution for the Tone Zone that was in the bridge, because 1.) I love Evolutions; and 2.) the Evolution better fit my “blackout” hardware/electronics scheme, with its black polepieces, than the Tone Zone did, with its silver polepieces.
All in all, I’d say this has been my most successful project yet, and I could not be happier or more satisfied with the end result.
Well, maybe an Ibanez BackStop, and how about swapping the fretboard out for ebony with the last 4 frets scalloped and a green/abalone vine inlay!
[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] (maniacal laughter fills the air)
PRESENTING . . . RG520SM (Spalted Maple)!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
<font color="red">PLAN A: RG Swirl</font>
This project developed a life of its own, as most of my projects do. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] I originally wanted a swirl Jem, so I bought a custom, swirl finished Jem-style body, and started looking for an AANJ RG for parts.
I found this RG520QS (Quilted Sapele) on eBay and bought it – and it was good – VERY good. Mahogany body, ultra thin/wide neck, and no damnable middle pickup or pickguard (like my Jem has). In fact, when I got it, I found out that it was so nice, I couldn’t bear to part it out. (Side note: the Ibanez RG520QS is a hugely underrated bargain. Get one.)
<font color="red">PLAN B: RG Quilted Sapele - Natural</font>
Soo, I kept it as is for awhile, but it pissed me off that Ibanez had covered that nice figured top with a stain so dark it made the guitar look like it had a solid finish (as shown in the pic above). So, I tried to strip the finish using chemicals, but it was a very slow and frustrating process, and then the veneer started to lift and break, whereupon I went into a Hulk-like rage and got out the power sander. [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img]
<font color="red">PLAN C: RG Solid Mahogany</font>
After all of the weeks of wasted effort with chemicals, sanding was very satisfying, as it actually REMOVED FINISH (imagine that)! It removed the quilted sapele veneer too, and I ended up with a very nice, solid mahogany guitar, which I finished with clear, reassembled and played happily for several months. I thought this was where this project would end. But these projects never really end, do they? [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]
<font color="red">PLAN D: RG Spalted Maple</font>
After stumbling across a pic of a gorgeous RG with a spalted maple top on JemSite, I contacted its builder, and he graciously agreed to add a spalted maple top to mine. I sent it to him, and he did a fantastic job (IMO). While he was at it, I asked him to exclude the (suck) tone knob (which I filled before sending the guitar). When I got it back, I mounted the pickups directly to the body, leaving out the mounting rings, and I also substituted an Evolution for the Tone Zone that was in the bridge, because 1.) I love Evolutions; and 2.) the Evolution better fit my “blackout” hardware/electronics scheme, with its black polepieces, than the Tone Zone did, with its silver polepieces.
All in all, I’d say this has been my most successful project yet, and I could not be happier or more satisfied with the end result.
Well, maybe an Ibanez BackStop, and how about swapping the fretboard out for ebony with the last 4 frets scalloped and a green/abalone vine inlay!
[img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img] (maniacal laughter fills the air)
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